Decent once a year trout combo

[CrashVector]

They stock rainbows once a year here...something I LOVE catching.

 

Drop some suggestions for a good trout spinning combo that's not TOO expensive, as it'll only get used once a year.

[islandbass]

How are you planning to target them? Berkeley Power bait or eggs (artificial)? Inline spinners or spoons? I guess it really doesn’t matter, lol.  

 

I would look at Okuma’s Celilo line for their L and UL rods. They are excellent bang for the buck AND perform very, very well. They also come in a variety of lengths. I would choose the longest I can get away with. I have their 7’ model and this rod is responsible for catching more fish than all of my rods combined. Not only that but it could handle bait style and hardware and that’s a plus. I’ve even drop shotted with it for trout and pan fish. I also use it against bass in UL mode. As long as the cover is light, the bass loses every time. BAM!
 

I don’t dink around with 1000 and 1500 sized spinning reels. I use a 2000 sized reel on my 7’ celilo. I want the added line capacity and longer casts are possible if needed. This is my opinion but I think larger spinning spools cast farther for the same effort than smaller ones. 

I also have a custom made 9’6” UL that is usually mated to my 2500 symetre for when I really need to get it out there. Like the celilo, it too can handle hardware. 
 

I was out just this past Friday trying out the tried and true panther Martin black and gold (brass really) lure and nailed a trout on the first cast and managed to hook into a few more as well. I went 2 for 4 and I blame the stupid stock treble, lol. And then I caught 2 more with a homemade inline spinner with a Colorado blade. Ironically, I was targeting bass but I ain’t complaining. 
 

The celilo when I got it was just under $20 after tax and this was a very long time ago. I have seen them for about $25 and up depending on the length you desire on the A site. 
 

As for the spinning reel, I’ll leave that up to you. Depending on the reel you choose, you could have both for around $50. 
 

 

This rainbow ? trout looked way better in real life. One of 4 caught. 

Lastly, since you’re doing this only once a year, this will probably last a lifetime. 

[CrashVector]

I love getting other people's ideas :). Makes it more fun somehow 

 

I use the powerbait dough on a kind of a Carolina rig I guess you'd call it.

 

I spool up with 6lb Trilene Sensation, put on a 1/4 Oz worm weight, the tie off to a plain barrel swivel.  I tie a 12-18 inch leader of 6lb sensation to the leader, then tie to a light wire, long-shanked #6 offset cricket hook.

First ever fish she caught in her life lol

[ATA]

2 hours ago, islandbass said:

I would look at Okuma’s Celilo line for their L and UL rods

Thats what I am agree with and I have Shimano Sahara 1000 on it, but you can do half price if you go with Okuma Ceymar 1000

[islandbass]

2 hours ago, CrashVector said:

I love getting other people's ideas :). Makes it more fun somehow 

 

I use the powerbait dough on a kind of a Carolina rig I guess you'd call it.

 

I spool up with 6lb Trilene Sensation, put on a 1/4 Oz worm weight, the tie off to a plain barrel swivel.  I tie a 12-18 inch leader of 6lb sensation to the leader, then tie to a light wire, long-shanked #6 offset cricket hook.

First ever fish she caught in her life lol

Yup, yup, yup! Carolina rig for sure. Glad you know the drill there. On my home lake, the leader length is 8’ minimum. Period. Any shorter and your dough or egg will not be above the grass for the trout to hone in on. It’s also why I said to get the longest rod you can get away with. My 9’6” rod naturally handles an 8’ leader better than my 7’ rod. Also, you need at least a 3/4 oz. weight (egg or bullet usually) to get it to what I call the “money” zone. Other nearby lakes a 4-5’ leader is needed and hence the local knowledge is a plus. I kept skunking out because my leader length was not long enough — until one guy told me why I wasn’t catching any trout. Size 8 or 10 hook as of late since the stocked trout have been small. ?

Thanks for sharing and great pics. I find it fascinating and interesting how the same basic set up can vary to capture the quarry.?

[redmeansdistortion]

Tie up a small brown yarn fly, and C-rig it with a 1/8 to 1/4 sinker.  Those stocked trout lived on feed pellets all of their lives, match the hatch.

[new2BC4bass]

Before opening up the thread I was going to suggest a Piscifun Sword 8'6" 4wt fly rod with the 3/4 Sword reel.  Rod is about $50 and I've bought the 3/4 reel for as low as $30.  You have to check daily in order to find one at that price. 

 

But for spinning I can't beat islandbass' suggestion. 

[roadwarrior]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Bass_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-TSXS.html?from=basres

[mrpao]

Unless you dont fish much, why not get a combo that you can use for other purposes also.

A decent 7' med light action spinning combo would be pretty universal. You could fish for many different species with it.

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, mrpao said:

Unless you dont fish much, why not get a combo that you can use for other purposes also.

A decent 7' med light action spinning combo would be pretty universal. You could fish for many different species with it.

Because I already have 10-15 of those lol

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

Because I already have 10-15 of those lol

Then go with a light rig...I use mine for trout, panfish and Ned

Avocet RZT-1000 on a Procyon L/F with 4# YZH.

[mrpao]

If you already have that many med light combos, i see no reason to really add to it unless you just like to try new rods and reels. 

The monkey is always on my back also.

[CrashVector]

40 minutes ago, mrpao said:

If you already have that many med light combos, i see no reason to really add to it unless you just like to try new rods and reels. 

The monkey is always on my back also.

 

Lol pretty much.

 

I've gotten to the point where I'm getting highly specialized stuff now lol!

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use my dropshot rod when I target trout. If they're small enough that I need specialized equipment for them, I'm not interested in catching them. I catch more of them on jerkbaits fishing for bass than I do targeting trout though.

[schplurg]

I bought a 5' 6" light UglyStik Elite and put a small Pflueger Trion on it. Going to use it for creek fishing for trout, and whatever else. About $100 total.